Fatal Flaws: DCYF Looks To Reform

A recent Concord Monitor series examines the many problems at New Hampshire's Division of Children, Youth and Families, including child abuse cases where at least eight children died in the last half-decade. The drug crisis, high staff turnover, limited funding, and restrictive policies all present challenges as the state looks to reform.

Listen

Listening...

/

57:18

Listen to the conversation.

GUESTS:

John DeJoie - Legislative advocate for Child and Family Services of New Hampshire. He also lectures on social policy at UNH.

Jeffrey Meyers - Commissioner of the New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services.

Allie Morris - Reporter at the Concord Monitor, where she covered DCYF in the "Fatal Flaws" series.

Related Content

The adoptive parents of two children who were sexually abused are suing the Division of Children, Youth, and Families, arguing the state agency didn’t do enough to protect the victims even after social workers became involved.

The lawsuit also names Easter Seals New Hampshire, a non-profit contracted to provide supervision during parental visits.

Governor Chris Sununu says the head of the state's child protective services division has been placed on administrative leave, following a report that more than 1,500 cases of suspected abuse and neglect were closed over a two-day period last year.